Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Ron Garney; Bill Reinhold; Matt Milla; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art & Collection Cover Art by Ron Garney
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in 2007, this 168-page paperback reprints The Amazing Spider-Man # 532-538 (from 2006-2007) entitled “The War at Home, Parts 1-7.”
In the Stamford, CT tragedy’s aftermath, Iron Man & Spider-Man, arrive on the scene to help and personally witness its horrific damage. A subsequent White House meeting with the President prompts Tony Stark into admitting he is Iron Man, and that he will supervise a new U.S. policy’s enforcement. Accordingly, Stark prods his protégé, the ever-reluctant Peter Parker, into publicly unmasking his long-kept secret identity. The intent is to help motivate their peers into adhering to the controversial Superhuman Registration Act.
The world’s reaction is mixed. Including a multi-million dollar fraud lawsuit from The Daily Bugle, Peter must contend with tense ramifications, both personal and public, now that his private life is no more.
Peter already has second thoughts once Stark presumptively assigns him to the Registration Act’s enforcement squad. Realizing what hardline tactics his boss is resorting to, Spider-Man’s crisis of conscience comes to a head. Forced to risk the safety of his loved ones, wife Mary Jane and Aunt May, Peter makes a startling decision.
As Marvel’s first Civil War progresses to its end, dark forces elsewhere plot to destroy Spider-Man’s life. With Peter and his family now on the run as high-profile fugitives, the stage is ominously set for the next arc: Back in Black.
Notes: Marvel Comics identifies which scenes occur amidst specific issues of Civil War. Also, Issue # 532 indicates that “The War at Home” would go six issues vs. the seven it later became.
REVIEW:
With satisfying depth, J. Michael Straczynski’s storytelling explores this game-changing event in Spider-Man’s life. Specifically, Spider-Man’s Civil War role as its pivotal ‘everyman’ comes into clear focus. Spidey’s encounters with Mr. Fantastic, Captain America, and Iron Man infer that only he conscientiously grasps all angles of the Registration Act’s dire ‘right and wrong’ vs. ‘whose side are you on?’ mentality.
One question conveniently left unaddressed, however, is: besides Spidey and possibly Mr. Fantastic, shouldn’t there be other potential dissenters (i.e. She -Hulk) on Team Stark shifting away from pro-registration? Considering Stark’s harsh means of capture and incarceration, wouldn’t others object – without necessarily joining Captain America’s forces?
Still, Straczynski’s plot twists are well-played, even if one sudden face-off isn’t unexplained. It can only be surmised that Peter’s Avengers Tower suite has been under covert electronic surveillance upon Stark’s suspicions being aroused. Had Straczynski briefly depicted Iron Man’s provocation to aggressively confront Peter, that would have been helpful Otherwise, his scripting logically evolves from Point A to Point B, etc., giving Spider-fans a fully-developed and very readable seven-part arc.
Working double-duty as both penciller and cover artist, Ron Garney presents consistently solid visuals. His highlights include some superb facial close-ups (i.e. Mary Jane), often in dramatic moments. In sync with Garney’s low-key style, the art squad’s other members contribute commendable work. Though this particular storyline might not appeal to newcomers, The Amazing Spider-Man: Civil War delivers what it promises to faithful Spider-fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Garney’s cover precedes each issue. Also included are two covers from artist Clayton Crain: his Issue # 538 variant and the Wizard # 182 (magazine) cover.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
